Review: Stunning by Sara Shepard

Stunning (Pretty Little Liars #11) by Sara Shepard

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (June 5, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

 Full of darker secrets, juicier scandals, and deadlier plot twists, the latest arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling series continues to deliver fast-paced, tension-ridden drama.

After Alison DiLaurentis tried to kill them, Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna tried to get their lives back on track. But these girls just can’t stay out of trouble. First there was their disastrous trip to Jamaica, and their summer breaks were no less eventful. Now a new A is stalking them, taunting them with the very secrets these pretty little liars have been trying to forget. But this A doesn’t just want to blackmail the girls—this A is out for blood.

Sara Shepard’s fan base only gets bigger as the hit ABC Family Pretty Little Liars TV show continues to draw new readers to the bestselling series. Everyone will be dying to find out what A does next....

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My Thoughts:

I don't have much to say about this book because I felt like nothing of interest really happened. Normally the Pretty Little Liars books are chock full of twists and surprises but it in this one there only seemed to be one twist (at least in my opinion). I pretty much figured out that twist somewhere between the first quarter to first half of the book, so when it came time for the reveal that was supposed to be shocking my reaction was, "duh!". The story AND the characters were lackluster and boring. These girls have been through a lot and are a little older so I would expect some growth but they all seem to be repeating their mistakes over and over. Overall, the book wasn't bad (or good), it was just disappointing. Hopefully the series will be ending within the next book or two because I think the series is suffering by continuing, but I do want to know how things turn out so I will be reading the next book in the series. 

2.5/5

*I received this book for review. Any opinions are my own.* 

Review: Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

 

Size 12 and Ready to Rock (Heather Wells #4) by Meg Cabot

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (July 10, 2012)

Goodreads Description:

 Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself--who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright--who just happens to be Heather's "new" fiancE. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, "this" reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

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Review:

I have not read any of the previous books in the series so I was a little worried I would get feel like I was missing a lot of info. There were mentions of incidents from previous books and obviously my enjoyment of the story would have been enhanced had I read the other books, but ultimately I don't think it made a big difference. 

What I enjoyed most about this book is the main character Heather Wells' personality. She is warm, quick of wit, and comes across as approachable. She is also mind boggling forgiving to people  who have screwed her over. I think she and her fiance Cooper make a great couple. I got the feeling that the romance between them was a big part of at least one of the other books and I now I plan to read them because I would love to know how feelings developed between them. 

I had some issues with Tania Trace. I thought she was selfish and irresponsible. At times I did feel sorry for her but then I would go back to feeling kind of disgusted with her. I'm sure the author means for the readers to feel these things about her though. 

Overall, the story was just okay.  It almost come off a bit like a cozy mystery but toned down. Had there been more false leads, incidents, drama, etc. I think I would have enjoyed it a little more. The book wasn't bad but it wasn't incredible either, however, I was engrossed in it enough to finish it in one day and it was a fairly fun, light read.

3/5

*I received this book for review from the publisher. Any opinions expressed are my own.*